Type Camp California Day 4

On day 4 of Type Camp California, our final full day, we devoted the majority of our time
to another hand-lettering project. This time, we were tasked with completing the phrase:
“Type can...”

Much like the lettering project we completed on day 3, the purpose of this excerise was
to enhance the meaning of our words through the creative application of type.

However, this assignment presented it’s own unique challenges. Instead of trying to
draw a single word, as before, we were now being asked to accomplish the same for an
entire phrase! Needless to say, it was difficult.

Attempting to complete this project certainly gave me a much greater appreciation for
those who make a living out of lettering.

Also, it piqued my interest in hand-painted historical signage and, by extension, the
craftsmen who communicated with type long before our adoption of more mechanical/digital
production techniques.

First, there is the sheer conceptual rigor of the hand-lettering process. Finding a way
to creatively illustrate a phrase or headline in a unique or contextually appropriate
way is immensely challenging.

Second, there is just the sheer difficulty of drawing letters by hand. It requires
steadiness, patience, and determination—not to mention a highly trained eye, a
comprehensive understanding of letterforms, proportion and a certain resiliency or
positive outlook on life.

And no, I’m not kidding about that last one. Lettering by hand can be downright
soul-crushing when things go wrong.

Type Can…

With attendees hailing from locations as far and wide as Brazil, New Zealand, Denmark and
Egypt to spend an intensive week learning about typography, it shouldn’t come as a suprise
that we produced some intriguing riffs on the phrase “Type can…”

As a group, we certainly believed in the intrinsic power of type, and in the importance of
typography as discipline. This fact is reflected in the quality and breadth of these
(some of my favorite) finished compositions:

“Type Can…Make You Aware,” by Remy Chwae
“Type Can…Unite,” by Erin Ellis
“Type Can…Grow in You,” by Maiken Fredsted
“Type Can…Add Character to the Voice,” by Phred
“Type Can…Ligate Concept with Comprehension,” by yours truly

Afternoon Lecture

Given the intensity of the day’s primary exercise, our instructors smartly gave us a
little respite in the afternoon. Alas, should we forget that this was Type Camp, after
all, this break was also a time for learning.

I was especially happy to experience this presentation because I had actually listened to
a recording of it shortly after it was given at SXSW and it was great to be
able to ask a number of my own follow up questions.

If you’ve ever wondered how to go about combining typefaces, which is more of an art than
it is a science (it can be difficult to track down quality reading material on the subject),
I highly recommend taking the time to listen to the talk, which was titled
“The Cure for the Common Font.”

Conclusion

Though I was bit unsure of what to expect from Typecamp—whether it would be a learning
experience to rival that of a more “traditional” conference—I learned a tremendous
amount, formed lasting memories, gained some self-confidence and met a group of fascinating
people.

It’s a little mind-boggling to think about how well all of us got along, considering
the only thing we knew we had in common prior to attending was our love of type! Photo
by Daria Lanz

I’d like to personally thank Shelley Gruendler, Tiffany Wardle, Stephen Coles, Laura Serra
and chefs David and Linda for a wonderfully relaxing and educational week on the central
coast of California.

I’d also be remiss if I didn’t thank 8th Light for the opportunity to attend Typecamp.
Cheers guys!